Mount Dora Tightens Law On Noisy Machines

News in brief

September 24, 1995

MOUNT DORA — Folks tired of loud delivery trucks and street sweepers during early-morning hours should get some relief with a change in the city's noise ordinance.

Complaints from residents who live near supermarkets and shopping centers led city leaders this week to require vehicles and sweepers to be equipped with sound-control devices that meet federal standards.

The change was prompted by gripes that some sound-control devices on trucks and sweepers don't do a good job of muffling noise.

The law now states that a faulty sound-muffling device must be replaced with another that's up to speed.

Another change prohibits noise from commercial areas - such as strip shopping centers - ''to the extent that it renders the ordinary use of the (residential) premises physically uncomfortable,'' the ordinance states.

The city already bans early-morning deliveries and sweepers at stores and supermarkets that are within 350 feet of homes. In such cases, deliveries and sweepers are prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., and from 10 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday.

But the ban doesn't always work, said Judy Nichols, who lives near a supermarket and two large discount stores. Nichols complained that she's often awakened at 6 a.m. by sweepers with ''a very high-pitched sound.''

''I'm the one who hears it all, because we are in a two-story home,'' she said. ''If they are in violation of the ordinance, I will continue to call - I don't care if it's 5 minutes to 7'' in the morning.